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Ministers McEntee and O’Brien welcome significant progress in €7.3 million Kerry refuge development
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The Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien have confirmed that a €7.3 million funding application for the expansion and redevelopment of a domestic violence refuge in Kerry has successfully passed the first stage approval by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
ADAPT Kerry, with the support of Kerry County Council, the Housing Agency and Cuan is looking to increase the capacity of its refuge in Tralee from six to 13 units, and has received the green light for its Capital Assistance Scheme Stage 1 application.
Tralee is one of 18 priority locations identified for domestic violence refuge development as part of the government’s work under Zero Tolerance, the Third National Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, to double the number of refuge units.
Minister McEntee said:
“A core aim of Zero Tolerance, the Third National Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, is ensuring that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one, and I know there has been capacity issues in Kerry in recent years.
“The new capacity for the refuge in Kerry will be 13 family units – that’s seven newly-built refuge units and six redeveloped.
“There will also be additional ancillary services developed in the expansion including therapeutic rooms, children’s spaces and office space.
“This welcome news on funding is significant progress and marks an important day for the Kerry refuge project. I am very grateful to all involved for their hard work in designing and planning this facility to date.”
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien emphasised:
“The test of a country, and indeed a government, is how we support and look after the most vulnerable in our society. I am pleased to announce today that my department has approved the stage 1 application of this project. Facilities such as this provide a crucial service for families during a traumatic time and, importantly, protect vulnerable women and children during a time of acute personal distress.
“This government is determined to provide such safe spaces to all its citizens and it is great to see this project progress. This approval comes following the official opening of the first refuge under the 3rd National Domestic, Sexual, and Gender Based Violence Strategy and demonstrates our clear support for the important work of improving DSGBV services across Ireland.
“I want to thank in particular Kerry County Council and the Housing Agency who have worked collaboratively with stakeholders to bring this project to this stage.”
ADAPT Kerry provides crisis accommodation for women and children experiencing domestic abuse, as well as outreach supports to women who need help. It has helped hundreds of women in the region since it was established in 1996.
The proposed new development includes the upgrading of the existing building in Tralee and an extension. ADAPT Kerry plans to continue to provide refuge accommodation and support services to those who require it during the construction period.
The refuge’s Capital Assistance Scheme Stage 1 application was approved by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and it is now working towards submitting its Stage 2 application, which will include further detail and costings on the full extent of works that will be required. That is due for submission before the end of January.
Minister McEntee added:
“Last week, I was in Wexford to celebrate the opening of the refuge there, the first of many facilities being developed nationwide under the Zero Tolerance Strategy to open its doors to vulnerable women and children in the community.
“While it is the first to be completed, it really is just the beginning as there are a number of projects under development and expected to start construction within the next year.
“There are also plans for even more in high need areas around the country, including this project in Tralee. And I know that my colleagues in Cuan, the domestic, sexual and gender-based violence agency, are working hard to meet our target of doubling the number of refuge spaces available to meet the needs of these women and children.”
Cuan, The Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Agency was established in 1 January 2024, and officially launched by Minister McEntee in February 2024.
Cuan’s role is to coordinate and drive the implementation of the Zero Tolerance strategy, including the aim of doubling the number of DSGBV refuge units nationwide over the lifetime of the strategy.
Cuan has a dedicated team in place to support the development of domestic violence refuges, through engagement with local service providers, including through the provision of support on capacity and governance, and is actively planning and engaging with partners to accelerate the delivery of refuge spaces across the country.
On 12 September Minister McEntee and Minister O’Brien opened the first newly-built refuge arising from the Zero Tolerance Strategy – a new 12-unit facility in Wexford, which has trebled capacity in the county.